The Atlantic School Board will hold a work session this (Wednesday) evening in the High School Media Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Special presentations leading-off the meeting will cover the AHS Silver Cord Program and School Property/Casualty Insurance. But the most interesting part of the meeting will likely be with regard to Board Member Communications.

That’s because School Board Member Dr. Keith Swanson wrote an article in the “Speak Up” section of the Atlantic News Telegraph last week, where he indicated he was embarrassed to be on the Board, in light of recent issues with the District’s buses and concerns about a number of financial issues. Atlantic Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein wrote a response to Dr. Swanson’s letter, which was published in Tuesday’s paper.

In it, Amstein claimed “Many of the comments made by Mr. Swanson regarding the operation of the District were quite inaccurate.” Amstein said Swanson wrote his comments without confirming the facts, and said he should have addressed his questions and concerns to the Board in an open forum, where they could be answered directly. Amstein said he also thought Swanson’s assertion that District’s fine arts and athletic programs have deteriorated, “Insulting and disrespectful” to the students, coaches/sponsors.”